Engine head gasket is leaking coolant. I contacted dealer and was told that there was a recall for 5 years and 60k miles which I have exceeded. I am the original owner and never received any recall notice. The dealer refused to offer any help.
1995 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 47 of 55: complaints 1,361 to 1,390 of 1,613, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmissions has been always a problem. When the vehicle was new it was taken several times to the dealer that after it is placed on park, thethere is a play of about 3 -4 inches and the vehicle moves forward by 3 - 4 inches. Was told that is the design of this type of transmission from ford. Was not satisfied at all. All along problems with this transmission. Finally it gave way at 49, 000 miles. Had a rebuilt installed and that too gave way at 61k. Now a blown head gasket at 65k. Other numerous electrical problems to list. Ford is ripping off consumers.
Engine head gaskets blown causing cracked heads. Ford extended warranty to 60,000 miles but failed to notify owners. Also, replaced entire brake assembly at 50,000 miles, ABS never worked, and plastic door panel on sliding door fell off. Transmission slips, downshifts, overdrive light flashes, check engine light goes on and off, and vehicle accelerates sluggishly.
The transmission was failing to shift and would hesitate. We also heard a clunking noise. Fearing that the transmission's hesitation could cause us to be in an accident, we took the windstar into the dealer's service department. The service department said that the noise was coming from the engine and that both the transmission and the engine would need to be rebuilt or replaced at an estimated cost of $4000 -$5000.
The head gaskets failed at 62000 miles on 6 feb 99. Ford knew about the defective gaskets, but sent a notification letter to cover the costs as long as failure occurred before 31 dec 98, or 60000 miles. I contend that ford should have paid for all repairs, on all similar vehicles without oimposing a mileage limit. The ford dealer agrees, but tells me that their hands are tied because the parent company will not reimburse them for repairs they implement free of charge. Ford is cheating their customers.
Defective engine head gasket which has been replaced 4 times malfunctioned, causing the engine to stall while driving. May have caused an accident. There was a recall for the head gasket, but the warranty expired, and now it is consumer's responsibility. Please provide further information.
I have spent a total of $5,000.00 in repairs for our 1995 ford windstar van - a 3.8 engine, 6 cyclinders. Ford sent out a notice in june of 1998 advising the drivers of 1995 ford windstars that they would possibly experience head gasket problems. Ford s
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Driving down the highway at 72mph when the motor suddenly, without any warning stopped running. Traffic had to steer around me to avoid a collision, had it towed to repair shop and they said I lost the lower end of the motor will need a new motor to replace it. The heater stopped working due to a defective head gasket.
An engine head gasket blew out within 61,000 miles of wear. Dealer/manufacturer informed. Dealer informed consumer that the extened warranty ran out on december 31, 1998. Manufacturer informed consumer that nothing will be done due to expiration of warranty. Consumer seeking hntsa for help in this matter.
I notice white smoke from my exhaust pipe plus the car started overheating. I had car towed into the local ford dealership because of the extensive overheating. They informed me that it was a blown headgasket. Ford has known about this defect but has refused to correct and reimburse the numerous windstar owners who have had this problem. I was informed that I missed their owner's notification program by one month, however I was never notified about this program until it was to late (program end-date 31 dec 98). I called their customer service and received no compensation or resolution. Please assist in this matter. All 95 ford windstars have the potential to blow their headgasket due to a design fault but ford refuses to admit. Thank you for your assistance
Ford has sent a service bulletin to it's dealers regarding this overheating problem. The overheating problem is also present in the taurus, sable, and continental.
Head gaskets failed. Ford aware that this is a design flaw, but will not cover it.
Engine head gasket malfunctioned, causing the engine to stall. Also, damaged the engine and may have caused an accident. Dealer replaced gaskets twice. Please provide further information.
My vehicle's head gaskets 'blew' which resulted in water/coolant in my engine/oil pan resulting in the requirement for a new engine block. I did not have the extended warranty. Ford agreed there was a recall/extended warranty given to all windstars for defaulty head gasket problems but they would only cover through 12/31/98 so would not cover my car. I was never notiied. Based upon discussions with numerous owners, this is an inherent problem in all windstars. This is a manufacturing defect. My friend's windstar, 1995, replaced her transmission, engine and air conditioner but she had the extended warranty. These cars are not safe and are all lemons.
On 12/22/98 vehicle overheated. Took vehicle to the closest service station for fear of damaging the engine. The service station replaced the thermostat. Car overheated again, immediately took the vehicle to the shop that replaced the thermostat. Upon hearing "head gasket" remembered the warranty letter. Took car to dealer for repairs, but dealer said ford would not cover. The condition described in the letter was indeed exhibited within the extended warranty period, but ford refused three times to back extended warranty.
Vehicle serviced at cowles ford in woodbridge, va.
Recall replaced water pump gasket, 4 weeks later engine damage from leakage
Charged $900 to replace head gasket. Is this a common problem with this year make and model? What else should I contact for about?
Engin ehead gasket failed 14 days after expiration of extended warranty program.
There is water running from the engine head gasket, and the vehicle is running rough without prior warning. Problem occurs when driving in low speed.
Head gasket failure occurred after recall period had expired. Ford recommended replacement of head gasket at owner's cost. After head gasket replacement, vehicle engine would not operate properly, and ford dealer decided the engine was previously damaged because of the head gasket failure in months prior to recall notice. Ford will not cover engine damage.
I am sure that the head gasket has blown on the engine. I had high engine temperature, and white smoke with water coming from the exhaust pipe. The person that towed my vehicle to the ford dealer said that my windstar was the 5th ford he has towed in this week with the same problem, they were all 1995 ford's with a 3.8 liter v-6. I asked the service manager at the ford dealer if there was a recall on this engine ,and he said there was, but reapairs had to be made before dec. 31, 1998. I was not aware of a recall or service bulletin on this problem, if this is happening to so many cars and trucks just in the tulsa ok area, there is certainly a trend.
A recall letter received in june of 1998 stated that head gasket repair was covered until dec,31.98. This is a problem that ford is very aware of and should cover repair even though in my case I am past 60.ooo miles and it is past dec. 31,98. My repair bill is approx. $800.00 for this, and that is a lot of money to me, especially since I am struggling to pay payments on this vehicle.
I have found that there was a letter sent to some owners of windstars stating that the head gaskets were defective, however I never received this letter.
Consumer saw brake fluid leakage on the garage floor. He had to continue adding brake fluid. Service put vehicle on rack saw the leak coming from the brake line on left side of master cylinder/ down and across. Underneath/at the cross of the catalytic converter to the right front wheel cylinder fluid leaked right above the catalytic converter. The shield was not protecting the brake line from catalytic converter.
Tailgate would not open.
There may be other underlying problems that casued head gasket to blow, but this cannot be determined due to extreme damage from coolant in the engine, 3rd cylinder and exhaust system.
Failure of engine head gasket 2 months beyond ford's "extension" of recall notice 98m01 for this previously identified issue with ford 3.8l 6cyl engines. Ford is refusing to provide any relief although they have admitted that the failure is due to poor parts. The ford service department has stated that ford has known that this problem existed as far back as '91, but continued to use the poor quality parts.
A blown engine head gasket is a known problem with this vehicle, and a bulletin was released but had a mileage and time limit which I am slightly over, forcing me to pay $1,000.00 for repairs.
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